Easy Honey BBQ Chicken Wings

Here’s my go-to honey BBQ chicken wings recipe, with a simple homemade sauce that combines sweet honey, tangy BBQ sauce, and a few basic spices that make these wings impossible to resist.

These wings are my family’s favorite game day food, and I always make a double batch because they disappear so quickly. There’s just something about sticky, saucy wings that brings everyone to the kitchen, isn’t it?

What Kind of Chicken Wings Should I Use?

For BBQ wings, you’ll want to start with either “party wings” (already split) or whole chicken wings that you separate yourself into drums and flats. Fresh wings typically give you the best results, but frozen wings work fine too – just make sure they’re completely thawed and patted dry before cooking. If you’re buying whole wings, look for ones that are plump and pinkish in color, avoiding any with dark spots or a strong odor. For the crispiest results, try to choose wings that are similar in size so they’ll cook evenly, and don’t forget to trim off any excess skin or loose pieces before seasoning.

Options for Substitutions

This wing recipe is pretty adaptable and here’s what you can switch up:

• Chicken wings: While whole wings are classic, you can use drumettes or wing portions instead. For a lighter option, boneless chicken tenders work too – just reduce cooking time by about 5-7 minutes.
• BBQ sauce: Any BBQ sauce works here! If you don’t have Hickory Smoke flavor, try regular, sweet, or spicy BBQ sauce. You can even make your own with ketchup, brown sugar, and liquid smoke.
• Honey: Maple syrup or agave nectar can replace honey. Brown sugar works too – use about 1/3 cup and add 2 tablespoons of water to maintain the right consistency.
• Chili sauce: Sriracha, hot sauce, or even a bit more cayenne pepper can work instead. If using hot sauce, start with 1 tablespoon and adjust to taste.
• Butter: For a dairy-free version, try margarine or coconut oil. The sauce might be slightly less rich, but it’ll still be good!
• Spices: Feel free to adjust the heat level by changing the amount of cayenne. Smoked paprika can replace regular paprika for extra smoky flavor. If you’re out of garlic powder, use 1/2 teaspoon onion powder instead.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Grilling

The biggest mistake when making honey BBQ wings is cooking them at too high a temperature, which can burn the outside while leaving the inside raw – instead, maintain a medium heat and cook them slowly for about 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally. Another common error is adding the sauce too early in the cooking process, as the honey in the sauce can burn quickly; wait until the last 5-10 minutes of cooking to brush on your honey BBQ mixture. To ensure perfectly crispy skin, pat the wings completely dry with paper towels before seasoning, and avoid overcrowding the grill or baking sheet, as this creates steam and prevents the skin from crisping up. For extra flavor and tenderness, consider marinating the wings with the dry seasonings for at least 2 hours (or overnight) before cooking, and remember to baste the wings a few times during the final minutes of cooking to build up those delicious sticky layers.

What to Serve With Honey BBQ Wings?

These sweet and smoky wings practically beg for some cool and crunchy sides to balance out their sticky-sweet goodness! A classic celery and carrot stick combo with blue cheese or ranch dressing is always a crowd-pleaser. For a more substantial spread, try serving these wings with some crispy french fries or potato wedges – they’ll soak up any extra sauce that’s too good to waste. If you’re feeding a hungry crowd, a creamy coleslaw or a simple macaroni salad helps cut through the richness of the wings while keeping that casual, game-day vibe going strong.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These honey BBQ wings stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I like to place them in a single layer if possible, but if you need to stack them, put some parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together.

Freeze: You can freeze these wings for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Just make sure they’re completely cooled before freezing. I usually freeze them on a baking sheet first for about an hour, then transfer them to a container – this prevents them from freezing together in one big clump!

Reheat: To get these wings crispy again, pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also use an air fryer for 5-7 minutes at 375°F for extra crispiness. If you want to keep them saucy, brush on a little extra honey BBQ sauce during the last few minutes of reheating.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	40-50 minutes
Total Time	50-65 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 3000-3500
• Protein: 150-180 g
• Fat: 200-240 g
• Carbohydrates: 250-300 g

Ingredients

• 18 chicken wings
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Spray oil
• 1 cup barbecue sauce (hickory smoke flavor recommended)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons chili sauce
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Step 1: Prepare the Wings

First, wash and dry the chicken wings thoroughly.

Season them generously with salt, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, sugar, and paprika to give them a flavorful coating.

Make sure each wing is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.

Step 2: Preheat the Oven and Prep the Baking Sheet

Set your oven to preheat at 375°F (190°C).

While the oven is warming up, take a cookie sheet and spray it generously with cooking spray to prevent the wings from sticking during baking.

Step 3: Bake the Wings

Arrange the seasoned wings in a single layer on the prepared cookie sheet.

Place the sheet in the preheated oven and let the wings cook for 35 to 40 minutes, depending on their size.

Turn the wings once during cooking to ensure they bake evenly on both sides.

Step 4: Prepare the Sauce

As the wings are baking, take this time to prepare the sauce.

Over the lowest heat setting, slowly simmer the sauce ingredients, stirring occasionally.

This gentle simmering allows the flavors to meld together beautifully without burning.

Step 5: Coat the Wings with Sauce

Once the wings have finished baking, carefully dip each one into the prepared sauce, ensuring they’re well-coated.

Return the sauced wings to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the wings are nicely glazed.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

After the wings have heated through and the sauce is deliciously bubbling, remove them from the oven.

Let them cool slightly before serving.

Enjoy your flavorful wings, and remember to leave some for everyone else!